Great job ! Keep up the good work .
A new rendering of City Plaza II should be coming out soon;the 14-story tower will now go on top of the 6-story garage;
BR will soon be getting a nice,legit SKYLINE !

Another project in the works shows Third Street is returning to its roots as a retail road in downtown. Mike Polito of MAPP Construction says he's negotiating with a New Orleans bar owner to put a martini lounge in the Belisle Building, which his firm bought for its corporate headquarters from Bob Dean. MAPP is adding about 7,000 square feet to the 10,500-square-foot building. Polito says about half the first floor -- 1,500 square feet -- is for retail and an undisclosed bar owner is likely to take the space. Other entertainment destinations that have landed on Third in the past year include Happy's Irish Pub, The Inferno Room and Rasputin's. The Wine Loft, long promised, is also set to open soon on Third and Laurel Street.

Property owner John O. Hearin is showing off plans to build a mid-rise office tower in downtown, adding to the growing number of developers considering new office space in the city center. Hearin could not be reached to discuss the details, but sources say his renderings show about a 10-story office building. He's looking for tenants before starting the project. Hearin wants to build on Sixth Street between Convention and Florida, a spot where he owns a parking lot.
Other office projects in the works are Commercial Properties' 19-story building on Laurel for Regions Bank. Under current plans, the first 11 stories would be a parking garage funded by federal transportation funds via the local transit authority. The building would include residences.

And Mike Wampold is asking for state bond money to help build a second tower on his City Plaza building. The tower would be 12 to 14 stories over five floors of parking, making it roughly the same scale as the former Bank One towers. It would be between 260,000 and 280,000 square feet and cost about $52 million.

This is a vital part of the new LA 10 Corridor connecting I-49 and I-55 and will provide a much needed bridge crossing the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and Natchez.

BATON ROUGE, La. Construction on a new $213 million Mississippi River bridge to link Saint Francisville to New Roads should begin by the end of the year. Consultant Ron Hartje told the state Bond Commission yesterday he hopes the bridge will open to traffic in 2009, a year ahead of schedule.

The bridge will bypass to the south of Saint Francisville, away from the town's historic district and the Cat Island swamp. It will connect La 10 and US 61. A bridge between West Feliciana and Pointe Coupee parishes has been under consideration for decades.The span will replace a ferry used to cross the river.

The Feliciana's; West and East parishes, with their scenic countryside and rolling hills have increasingly becoming a popular location for many new country club and resort communities because of their easy drive time to Baton Rouge.

New Roads, located along the scenic oxbow lake False River, has long been a popular resort area for Baton Rougeans. It's property values have skyrocketed, with waterfront lot prices now ranging from $175,000 to $300,000.

Louisiana State University (affectionally referred to as LSU) is located about three miles south of the CBD in the southern sector of the City. In close proximity to the beautiful 300 acre campus are several announced developments..........................

The Crescent at University Lake

Wampold Cos. is ready to build the upscale condo development on Stanford Avenue across from the lake and will donate money to beautify the area, including improving Baton Rouge Beach. In two months, Wampold will start building the $45 million, 90-unit project, which takes its cue from Florida resorts and Italian architecture and is named The Crescent at University Lake.
In recent years, plans for upscale condos have sputtered in Baton Rouge, but Wampold believes the location on the lake and near LSU with views of the state Capitol will move condos quickly. He has had more than100 inquiries for the project. Construction is expected to begin within two months.

The units will be from 1,239 square feet to 2,682 square feet and cost from the low-$200,000 to about $650,000. Amenities include a fitness center, clubroom, billiards room, media center and a pool area that overlooks the lake.

Wampold said he would donate money to BREC for jogging paths at Baton Rouge Beach and other improvements, including moving parking off the street and planting oak trees on both sides of Stanford. He declined to reveal how much the BREC improvements would cost because the parks system has not approved a plan.

Wampold has been trying to develop the property for more than a decade, but the neighbors have opposed the project. He wanted to build apartments on the property but the Planning Commission, listening to angry neighbors, declined to approve the site plan and the project was rejected. Now, he's shifted to building condos, and says he has necessary approvals to go ahead with the project.

The project does not include retail because rezoning would be required. Wampold said he doesn't have plans now for retail, though the area would be right for a coffee shop and other boutique stores.

Birmingham based Capstone Development Corp. (CDC) announced today its plans for “FieldHouse, Baton Rouge” a luxury sports condominium project planned initially for Baton Rouge and 4 other college campuses designed to house college sports fans. The project will revolutionize traditional college tailgating, providing athletic supporters and fans with luxury accommodations to enjoy during game weekends and beyond. It is a unique opportunity for fans to own a tangible tailgating spot as close as possible to the campus.

About “FieldHouse, Baton Rouge”

Address: Nicholson Drive at West Chimes Street (LSU North Gates)

Number of Units: 100 residential loft units plus retail space

Distance From Stadium: .4 mile (four tenths of a mile) to Stadium Gates

“We plan to utilize our expertise and existing relationships at LSU to create some of the most desirable real estate near campus for living and vacationing during sports seasons.” says William Bru, Senior Vice President of CDC. The other four initial developments include sites in Louisville, KY, Starkville, MS, Manhattan, KS, and Green Bay, WI. Groundbreakings are set for early 2005 in each of these initial markets.

Fieldhouse, a French Quarter style, 100-unit luxury condominium development will be located across from the Natatorium at the North Gates of campus on the corner of Nicholson Drive and West Chimes Street. According to an article by Timothy Boone in The Advocate, the four-story development will include units ranging from $160,000 to $500,000 and will feature private parking, a restaurant, concierge and cleaning services.

Fieldhouse is the first venture of its kind for Capstone, but the company is no stranger to housing development. Founded in 1990, the company has several student housing complexes both on and off campus and locally manages University Commons complex on Burbank Drive, according to an article by Timothy Boone in The Advocate. Capstone also plans similar developments in Starkville, Miss., Manhattan, Kan., and Louisville, Ky., according to an article by Tom Daykin in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Capstone is not the only condominium developer with its eye on the Tigers. Gary Spillers, President and CEO of Gameday Centers Southeastern, said he is in the negotiating process with Tiger Athletic Foundation to build condominiums and a meeting area at the LSU golf course. Final completion is more than a year and a half away, Spillers said, stressing the development's preliminary stage.

The sports condominiums will range from 1 to 3 fully furnished bedrooms with ownership prices ranging from $140,000 to $500,000, Spillers said. The complex will also house a restaurant and bar area, workout club and meeting rooms. A shuttle will run to campus for football, basketball, baseball, track and other sporting events, he said. The condominiums will be available for year-round ownership and living or short-term rental.

Gameday Centers have a history. According to www.gamedaycenters.com, there are Gameday Centers in Auburn, Miss., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn. Construction is underway or soon anticipated in Athens, Ga., Tallahassee, Fla., Clemson, S.C., and Lexington, Ky.

North Gate Sterling University House

Built by Sterling University Housing, the largest developer of off-campus student housing in the country, Sterling University NorthGate is a 100 unit project within walking distance to LSU and the Chimes Street/Northgate entertainment area. Project now under construction on Highland Road north of State near the North Gate of LSU.

The Preserve at Longwood Plantation

Plans are in the works to build a 330-unit apartment complex at Nicholson Drive and Gardere Lane. The Preserve at Longwood Plantation will feature a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units being developed by Cortlandt Development, an Atlanta company. Plans are to price the units between $700 and $1,200 a month.

Cortlandt, which has developed apartments across the Southeast, had been looking at moving into Baton Rouge before Hurricane Katrina. DeFrancis said the company was interested in the growth that has happened along Nicholson Drive since the Bluebonnet Boulevard extension was completed. “There’s so much growth coming out of downtown and the university,” DeFrancis said. “We think there’s going to be a filling in of all the land between Bluebonnet and the university.”

Plans are to begin construction in August and have the complex open in spring 2007.

The Lod Cook Hotel and Alumni Center on West Lakeshore Drive overlooking University Lake near LSU

One of many contributions to the University by Lod Cook, oil entrepreneur and alumnus, Cook is the president and chief executive officer of ARCO Petroleum.

The Doyle Restaurant Group has opened The Wine Loft at Laurel and Third streets in the back half of the historic Fuqua Building.

The Wine Loft will offer wine, light cuisine, fondue and desserts in 3,300 square feet of the building.

Doyle Restaurant Group, based in New Orleans, owns the vodka bar Rasputin’s, which opened on Third Street.

Chief Executive Officer Jason Doyle has said the Baton Rouge location will feature the relaxed atmosphere similar to its Tchoupitoulas Street location in New Orleans, which features 85 wines by the glass, 220 by the bottle.

Doyle Restaurant has four New Orleans establishments: The Wine Loft, an upscale 1950s-style diner called Huey’s, the Lafayette Sports Bar and Rasputin’s.

Doyle said Friday morning that construction is complete, staff was trained and ready and inventory was complete.

He said an upstairs loft will open when the spiral stairwell is fabricated in about three weeks.

The Cyntreniks Group has strengthened its presence in downtown Baton Rouge, buying three properties from developer Bob Dean and announcing plans to renovate the buildings.

Cyntreniks, which is headed by Brace Godfrey, an attorney who is also the chairman of the Downtown Development District, bought the Hotel King at 200 Lafayette St., Dean Plaza at 327 North Blvd. and Lyceum Dean at 124 Third St. for an undisclosed amount. The three buildings are all within a block or so of each other and near such downtown attractions as the Shaw Center for the Arts, the Capitol House hotel and the proposed new courthouse.

At a Wednesday news conference held across the street from the Hotel King, Godfrey said the new projects show the vitality that is going on in Baton Rouge, since the population grew as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

“We made a statement of our commitment to the city’s growth with our purchase of the Kress Building last November,” said Godfrey, who was flanked by his business partner, Claude “Buddy” Leach, and John Scheider, a business associate of Cyntreniks. “This acquisition adds another chapter.”

Cyntreniks bought the Kress/Welsh & Levy building from Dean in November. At the time of the sale, Godfrey said he mentioned to Dean that his business was interested in acquiring more downtown buildings. “That’s what led to today’s announcement,” Godfrey said.

Although plans for the projects are still being developed, Godfrey said the Hotel King may be turned into a boutique hotel, while Lyceum Dean could house restaurants and retailers, and Dean Plaza would undergo some renovations.

The Hotel King was opened in the late 1920s. The seven-story building, which has 46,000 square feet of space, operated as an office building from 1973 until it closed in 2004.

Godfrey said he’s met with hotel chains about putting their flags on the Hotel King, and expects to make a decision in the next two or three weeks of what to do with the building. The hotel is across the street from the Capitol House, which is expected to open in August as a 296-room Hilton hotel.

The Lyceum Dean is used for receptions and special events. Godfrey said he’s talked to banks and restaurant owners, including independent businesses, about moving into the building.

Dean Plaza is set to undergo the least amount of change, just renovations to make things easier for the current tenants. Except for one wing, the building is occupied by professional offices and a salon. Godfrey said he would honor existing leases.

Even after the recent series of sales, Dean still owns several downtown buildings, including the Roumain Building at 343 Third St., the Commerce Building at 333 Laurel St. and the Dean Tower at 5700 Florida Blvd. Dean, who usually doesn’t speak to the media, did not attend the news conference nor return a phone call.

Developer Donnie Jarreau has unveiled plans for new condos on Perkins Road and he says a separate project on Brightside Drive is underway. Jarreau will build Perkins Palms condos on Perkins next to a BREC park. The asking price for units is between $150,000 to $225,000, with the 21 condos ranging from 800 square feet to 1,000 square feet. Jarreau bought five acres for the project last year. A bank will build on the front of the property and the development will have 8,000 square feet of retail. A local restaurateur is in discussions to take some of the retail space.

Post-Katrina population boom continues
Livingston sites sold for housing

Company could build 2,500 homes

By TED GRIGGS
Advocate business writer
Published: Mar 22, 2006

National homebuilder D.R. Horton has signed purchase options on more than 1,500 acres of property in Livingston Parish, with preliminary plans to build around 2,500 single-family homes.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based firm optioned the properties of developers Saun Sullivan and H. Allen Thomasen in deals that could be worth around $25 million, according to records at the Livingston Parish Clerk of Court’s Office.

The properties under option include:

In Denham Springs, 191 lots on 117.6 acres off Juban Road, known as the John L. Lane tract; and 89 lots on 82 acres off La. 1019, known as Quail Creek.
In Walker, 1,272 lots on 473 acres, known as South Haven; and 472 lots on 729 acres, known as Woodland Crossing, which lies off Buddy Ellis Road.
In Watson, 172 lots on 192.7 acres, known as South Point.
The deal also includes options on Omni Mortgage LLC, Provident Title and Day Building Supply, clerk of court records show.

Officials with D.R. Horton did not return phone calls Tuesday or during the previous three weeks. Sullivan and Thomasen also declined to comment.

The deal covers pretty much everything that partners Thomasen and Sullivan own in Livingston Parish, said Wesley Moore, of commercial real-estate appraisers Cook, Moore & Associates.

Moore said homebuilding giants such as D.R. Horton and KB Homes, who moved into the area following Hurricane Katrina, probably have not finished their shopping sprees.

In fact, KB Home has partnered with Baton Rouge’s The Shaw Group to build up to 20,000 houses in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

The partnership announced plans Tuesday to build 60 houses in the River Garden area of New Orleans and 15 homes in the old St. Thomas Housing Project neighborhood. The River Garden houses will be aimed at young professionals and families and will sell for between $280,000 to $450,000. The St. Thomas homes will sell for $130,000 to $140,000, and will be aimed at former residents and first-time homebuyers.

KB/Shaw bought 30 lots in the Jefferson Retreat subdivision in Baton Rouge for $2.46 million in a deal that closed last week.

So far, the national firms have focused most of their attention on Livingston and Ascension parishes, snapping up subdivisions that have already won local government approval.

“There’s a much greater volume of land in Livingston and Ascension,” Moore said. “There are also fewer barriers to single-family residential developments.”

The costs of regulatory approval and impact fees are much lower in those parishes, and developers encounter fewer headaches and red tape, Moore said.

In East Baton Rouge, a developer who needs to fill in a piece of property has to get the dirt from within the same flood plain, Moore said. The idea is to make sure the original property’s water-retention characteristics remain the same, so that areas that did not flood before the development remain flood-free afterward.

However, in Ascension Parish, a developer can haul dirt in from just about anywhere, Moore said. The developer can buy some cheap land somewhere and dig a hole there for the fill, a much-cheaper alternative.

Horton already owned properties in seven subdivisions, including Ascension Trace in Gonzales and Elmwood Park in Hammond. The Livingston Parish subdivisions include Forest Ridge and Westminster, off Buddy Ellis Road in Denham Springs; and Park Ridge, off Sims Road between Hoss Road and La. 16.
Advocate business writer Timothy Boone contributed to this report.

The transformation of the old Heidelberg Hotel on Lafayette and Convention Streets into a 300-room Hilton Hotel is currently in progress. The windows are being installed and the interior is being framed out. The project completion is expected for late summer 2006. The architects for the project are Robert M. Coleman & Partners Architects. For additional information contact Camm Morton @ 924-7206 or visitwww.hiltoncapitolcenter.com

The redevelopment of 232 Third Street into a mixed-use development (retail, office and residential) began in January 2006. Chenevert Architects, the owners and designers for the project will locate offices within the building, moving from a Perkins Road location. The project is expected to take one year to complete.

The new 19th Judicial Courthouse will be built on the site of the current municipal building parking lot. The building will rise approximately 8 stories above North Boulevard and will be on direct axis with the State Capitol Building on Fourth Street. The building, as designed by Post Architects, will be an illuminated glass and concrete structure that will create a beacon at the foot of Fourth Street.

A major makeover is in the works for the riverfront area in Downtown Baton Rouge, and planners are looking to spend millions on the project.

The Baton Rouge riverfront is about to undergo some major changes. Plans are in the works to construct everything from residential developments to entertainment hot spots.

"Potentially, new residential development where we could incorporate some new private sector type of maybe entertainment venues," said Downtown Development District's Davis Rhorer.

The designers' plans cover an area about two miles long, from the old municipal dock to the north side of Casino Rouge, and they propose restaurants, an ampitheater and other commercial developments. From the beginning stages until completion, the project would cost an estimated $600 million.

Some Baton Rouge residents have their own ideas about the projects that should be included

"Something like an amusement park," Robert Bailey said. "Something for kids to have to come to on the weekends."

Others said they are content with something a little more traditional.

"Similar to what they have in Memphis," said Nick Lawless. "Memphis has a pretty good riverfront, and the condos are kind of like over here where the River Center is."

"I think when people see it and begin to put their suggestions in, I think they'll be very pleased with what is about to happen to Baton Rouge," said Mayor Kip Holden.

Holden said the plan to develop the riverfront will help spur further economic growth in the downtown area, and construction could begin later this ye

Anyone have any updates on the 42 story Riverplace Condominum Tower? I really think it's a cool looking project and will be an exellent addition to Baton Rouge and help it's skyline. Was ground broken in January and if not when is it supposed to be? I'm just wondering, if anyone could let me know that would be cool! Thanks in advance...

I've been searching for a loft/apartment in downtown Baton Rouge and all I've seen is New Richmond Place which apparently wont be around long. Any leads?? Preferably 600+sf and under 900/mo. Thank you.

Fantastic Thread, but most of the links were dead, if you need a place to host your images let me know.

I seem to have this problem near the end of each month. Imagecave is good but when bandwidth exceeds a certain amount the links lock up.
Since then I have tried Photobucket and they work great. It may take a while to transfer some over.

Thank you, great thread FL Tiger!! Looks like the city is really coming together well. How is Beauregard Town to live in?? safety? Are there any local classified ads for listings? I tried 2theadvocate.com but wasn't very helpful. Thanks again.

C1 — Corporation Canal would be widened, realigned and naturalized to create a linear canal park and greenway corridor with associated north-south bike trails.
C2 — Streetscape improvements on connecting prominent streets: Highland Rd., Thomas Delpit Dr., Washington, Van Buren, E. Harrison, E. Polk, W. Taylor, Harding, Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Georgia, Maryland, McKinley, Indiana, Illinois, Daniel Webster and Roosevelt streets.
C3 — New Gateway Park at E. Polk St. and Highland Rd.
C4 — New park triangle on Arizona St.
C5 — New park square on Colorado St.
C6 — New park square on Kentucky St.
C7 — Relocate Buchanan Park as an amenity for new residential.
C8 — Reconfigure and program events at E. Polk St. Park to accommodate surrounding new homes and to make it safer.
C9 — Potential community garden plots at Polk Elementary.
C10 — New park area around a new high school vocational wing.
C11 — Reconfiguration of Roosevelt Park as passive/active open space amenity for new residential development.
C12 — Relocate viable Highland Rd. businesses between Washington and E. Polk streets to buildings proposed between Johnson and Aster.
C13 — Remove vacant/blighted homes and develop new single-family, duplex, townhomes, apartments, condos and lofts.
C14 — New or renovated single-family homes on stand-alone or grouped parcels re-subdivided to allow larger lot homes.
C15 — New single-family duplex homes in areas where two to six smaller undevelopable parcels can be combined.
C16 — New alley-loaded townhome development along the Washington St. and Highland Rd. corridors.
C17 — New multi-family development proposed for key locations along Highland Rd., Roosevelt St. and Canalside Dr.
C18 — New single family homes with driveways proposed for the frontage streets around the new Roosevelt Park.